Worship Preparation - January 4, 2026

Read the sermon text: Luke 3:1-20

Read the sermon summary: Having completed the parallel summaries of the births and growth of John and Jesus, Luke skips ahead to the ministry of John. He's introduced like a prophet from of old, and "the word of God" came to him in the wilderness. Interestingly, Luke says he came not simply baptizing, but "proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." This Sunday, then, we will consider John's message about the baptism he brings to prepare the way of the Lord. In preparation for the sermon consider the following questions. Why does John call the crowds a "brood of vipers" and how might he be contrasting that with the idea of Abraham's children? What terms or phrases are repeated in this passage? How does John contrast his baptism with the baptism that Jesus will perform?

Read the following song lyrics in relation to the sermon: 

Thank You Jesus For The Blood

Verse 1

I was a wretch I remember who I was

I was lost I was blind I was running out of time

Sin separated the breach was far too wide

But from the far side of the chasm

You had me in Your sight

Verse 2

So You made a way across the great divide

Left behind Heaven's throne to build it here inside

There at the cross You paid the debt I owed

Broke my chains freed my soul

For the first time I had hope

Chorus

Thank You Jesus for the blood applied

Thank You Jesus it has washed me white

Thank You Jesus You have saved my life

Brought me from the darkness into glorious light

Verse 3

You took my place laid inside my tomb of sin

You were buried for three days

But then You walked right out again

And now death has no sting and life has no end

For I have been transformed by the blood of the Lamb

Bridge

There is nothing stronger

Than (Oh) the wonder working power

Of the blood the blood

That calls us sons and daughters

We are ransomed by our Father

Through the blood the blood

Ending

Glory to His name

Glory to His name

There to my heart was the blood applied

Glory to His name

CCLI Song #7172456

Bryan McCleery | Charity Gayle | David Gentiles | Elisha Albright Hoffman | John Hart Stockton | Ryan Kennedy | Steven Musso

© 2021 Centricity Music Publishing; Brother Gayle Hymnal; Come Up Kings Publishing; ComissionMusic; Steven Musso Music; McCleery MSC; Watershed Worship Publishing

For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

CCLI License #11078052